Synthesis Workshop on School-to-Work Transition Information Bases in Asia and the Pacific and the role of the UNEVOC Network 23-26 August 2011 Presented By Mrs. Chanita Soinam Udon Thani Technical College UNEVOC North-Eastern Centre, Thailand

UNEVOC Centres of Thailand The UNEVOC Centres of Thailand, established in the year 2005 by the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) within the Ministry of Education and with the assistance of UNESCO-UNEVOC international Centres, are responsible for collecting and improving the information of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in a database system ready to transmit through the internet. The Thailand UNEVOC Centres manage to share and exchange knowledge, innovations, and best practices which give rise to collaborative learning, sustainable development, and enhanced UNEVOC networks.

Regional UNEVOC Centres The OVEC with approval of the Ministry of Education, officially announced the establishment of five UNESCO-UNEVOC regional centres in Thailand, on 18 January, 2005 namely; 1.Central Centre, the Office of Vocational Education Commission 2.Northern Centre, Lumphun Technical College 3.Northeastern Centre, Udon Thani Technical College 4.Eastern Centre, Thai-Austrian Technical College 5.Southern Centre, Surathani Vocational College

The Northeastern UNEVOC Centre Udon Thani Technical College http://web1.udontech.ac.th/unevoc

Colleges under the OVEC Committee Vision To promote the status of TVET and benefit TVET management in the northeast of Thailand, as well as to improve the competency of learning through an information technology system and link with the international UNEVOC centres.

Colleges under the OVEC Committee Missions 1.To develop a Thai Vocational Education Database and disseminate all the data to UNESCO members and any other interested public entity via the internet; 2.To record and disseminate such data as research studies, innovations, academic articles in TVET, including local wisdom in the region to both the domestic and international level; 3.To promote a life-long learning process; 4.To develop and support English language learning, an international media of communication, as well as provide training and advisory services for communities.

Objectives 1.To develop a network of knowledge, experiences, and best practices exchange in integration of sustainable development issues in TVET; 2.To promote a society of wisdom and learning through a variety of visual and computerized aids; 3.To encourage initiatives and innovations as well as local wisdom; 4.To support utilizing information technology for decision-making in TVET administration.

Background Udon Thani Technical College (UTC), directed by Mr. Charoen Chaisomkoon, has realized the importance of life-long and collaborative learning and knowledge sharing. Consequently, the UNEVOC Centre was established in June, 2005 at Udon Thani Technical College, responsible for all the vocational and technical colleges in Northeastern Thailand.

There are 111 colleges altogether in 19 provinces of the northeastern of Thailand Udon Thani, Nong Kai, Nong Bualampoo, Loei, Sakonnakon, Nakonpanom, Mookdahan, Yasothon, Udon Ratchatani, Amnatjaroen, Roi-et, Khonkan, Kalasin, Mahasarakam, Chaiyapum, Nakonratchasima, Srisaket, Surin and Buriram. All colleges are classified as technical, vocational, industrial and community, agricultural and technology, business administration and tourism, and polytechnic colleges.

TVET data is collected, sorted, approved,translated 7 TVET data is collected, sorted, approved,translated and made ready for dissemination by the centre’s manager, Mr. Thanapon Soinam, and his team. At present, the centre continues organising and disseminating all the data obtained from the northeastern technical and vocational colleges and developing the ICT and the database systems to enhance networking and collaboration. Also, there is a linkage with the UNEVOC International Centre and UVEVOC members in Thailand.

Organisational structure The organisational structure of the Northeastern UNEVOC Centre of Thailand has been appointed to implement the project as shown in the following chart:

Implementation 1. The Centre collects the information in the area of TVET from the Northeastern institutions by various means, such as internet, facsimile, internet or organising the conference. 2. All the data received is then improved, approved, translated, recorded, and disseminated to the UNEVOC networks through the website.

 news Classification of the data the website  innovation  research  community services  computer-based learning

 computer-based learning (Under construction)

 research

 community services

 innovation

Activities 1.Co-ordinate with the technical and vocational institutions in the northeast to get the TVET information which will be processed and disseminated on the website. 2.Report the progress of the centre to the Office of the Vocational Education Commission. 3.Attend the meeting with the other UNEVOC centres of Thailand to discuss about the progress and the problems of the centres. Consequently, this will promote TVET throughout Thailand.

1.College Vision Udon Thani Technical College aims to provide vocational education to produce qualified manpower to meet labor market demands for semi-skilled workers, skilled workers, and technicians, who will reflect ethics, morality, and honesty in their professional careers.

2.College Missions 1. To increase efficiency and develop the management processes and human resources towards the leadership of vocational education. 2. To develop curriculum, learning processes, research, and vocational education to be standard. 3. To promote and manage vocational education by cooperating with the private sector and community. 4. To develop a system of “information and communication technology,” to organize learning and teaching processes better, and to serve the community.

3.History of Udon Thani Technical College “Udonthani Technical College” was formerly named “Udonthani Carpentry School”, and was supported by SEATO. Its name was later changed to “Udonthani Technical School”, and was supported by the Loan Project for developing vocational education in 1971. In 1976, it was Campus 1 of Udonthani Vocational College, and was renamed “Udonthani Technical College” on January 1, 1979.

4.Honors and Rewards 1984 Udonthani Technical College was selected as an outstanding institute for industrial education in the Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education. 1988 It was assigned by the Department of Vocational Education to carry out the Small ntrepreneurship Development Training Project supported by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

1991 It was selected to receive “the Royal Reward” in 1991 It was selected to receive “the Royal Reward” in tertiary education from the Ministry of Education. 1992 The Department of Vocational Education authorized the college to open the Higher Diploma in Technology (Industrial Education) level which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree for Technician Teachers in Electrical Power.

1995. Udon Thani Technical College received support 1995 Udon Thani Technical College received support from the government of Belgium for a project of collaboration between Thailand and Belgium to develop technical education in Production Technology and Metal Fabrication Technology. 1995 A Master’s Degree Program was opened with the collaboration between the Department of Vocational Education and the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang. Udonthani Technical College was appointed to be the teaching center in the Northeast of Thailand.

1995. Udonthani Technical College cooperated with the 1995 Udonthani Technical College cooperated with the office of Udonthani Education in a project for the development of human resources under the Ministry of Education. 2000 UTC was committed by the Department of Vocational Education to provide assistance in curriculum for Technical colleges in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

2002. Udonthani Technical College was assigned to be 2002 Udonthani Technical College was assigned to be the office of Vocational Education Institute of the Northeast, Campus 2. 2004 UTC co-operated with King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok to open a master’s degree in machine mechanics, electricity and computer technology

2005. Co-operated with Mabuchi (Thailand) Company 2005 Co-operated with Mabuchi (Thailand) Company Limited, Udon Thani Technical college offered the Diploma DVT course of Logistics, Industrial Technology 2007 UTC was passed the educational standard assurance from the Office of National Education Standards Quality Assessment (Public rganization)

5. Programs of Study 5.1 Certificate in Vocational Education (Skilled worker Level: a three-year programme) It is open to students of grade 9 or with lower secondary education. They can choose the following courses as follows : - Auto Mechanics - Machine Shop - Welding - Electrical Power - Electronics - Building and Construction - Architectural Techniques

5.2 Diploma in Vocational Education (Technician Level: a two-year programme) Admission is open to graduates of the three-year certificate program in vocational education or grade 12 or with secondary education. The courses offered are as follows : - Auto Mechanics Technology - Production Technology - Metal Fabrication Technology - Electrical Power Technology - Electronic Technology - Building and Construction Technology - Industrial Technology - Information Technology - Architectural Technology

5.3 Certificate in Dual Vocational Training (DVT: a three-year programme) This programme is offered for students who finish grade 9 in secondary school. The students will study theory courses at the college for 3 semesters and have practical courses in companies for 3 semesters

5.4 Diploma in Dual Vocational Training (DVT: a two-year programme) Those who study this programme are required to study theory courses at the college for 2 semesters and take practical course in companies for 2 semesters. This programme is offered for students finishing a three-year certificate programme in DVT or grade 12.

5.5 Special Courses: The Recognition of Prior Learning : RPL These courses are designed for workers and for those with professional experience who desire recognition of their prior learning in order to upgrade their vocational qualifications.

Conclusion A lot of qualified manpower is needed now in northeastern Thailand to reach the demands of the labour market. As the important and large part of TVET within the OVEC, all the northeastern vocational and technical institutions have an essential role in producing highly competent manpower for the economic and social development of northeastern Thailand. It has to hastily enhance curriculum and instructor development, innovations, quality assurance implementation and linkages with private sectors and other organisations. By all means, a UNEVOC Centre is another project of UNESCO put into place in order to bring future progress to TVET in northeastern Thailand. With its assistance, it can support and promote an exchange of international TVET information, success stories, best practices, and innovations.

THE END